Soil Composition
Much like the temperature and rainfall in the Himalayas, there is a great variety of soil compositions in the region and these conditions generate a distinct variety of plants and animals. Two examples of varying soil compositions are in the Terai belt and the Bhabhar belt. The Terai belt is a seasonally marshy zone of sand and clay soils. This region has high rainfall and the downward-rushing rivers of the Himalaya slow down and spread out in the flatter Terai zone, depositing fertile silt during the monsoon season and receding in the dry season. The Terai has a high water table due to groundwater percolating down from zones near it. Above the Terai belt is the upland zone of the Bhabhar belt, a zone of porous and rocky soils made up of debris washed down from the higher ranges.
Soil Erosion
In recent years deforestation in the foothills and the Middle Himalayas and overgrazing on the high pastures have led to soil erosion and other environmental problems. This is an example of terracing, which helps to both minimize damaging erosion and slow down the speed of water run-off so that it may be sucked up by the soil and nurture crops.